“I don’t know. I think somebody in his camp was plotting. Big time. You don’t think it’s strange that out of all the crews down with Jerry’s shit, Drako’s is the only one left standing? And y’all gon’ let this nigga in on our shit.”

  “That wasn’t me. That was your boy,” Cam said, speaking of Adrian.

  “Nah, that’s your boy.”

  “Fuck out of here.” Cam waved him off. “Our dads are thicker than thieves, and that makes us family. But it doesn’t make us friends.”

  “Nigga, we family. We ain’t friends?”

  “Shut up, Hoody.”

  “Man, whatever. One day, you niggas are gon’ kiss and make up. That shit that happened is in the past. Y’all used to be tight like how we’re tight.”

  “That shit changed once his pops upped his rank, didn’t it? I’m the one out here putting in all the work while that motherfucka sits in an office barking orders at me. We were supposed to be partners. That power got to his head.”

  “Maybe it did, but there ain’t nothing wrong with reminding him that he ain’t shit without you. In a healthy way,” Hoody added.

  “Man . . .” Cam started to respond, but then he saw something that made his blood run cold. “Hoody, look at that.”

  He pointed toward the trap house. A silver Mercedes-Benz had just pulled into the driveway, and a man stepped out. A truck pulled behind it, and people spilled out of it. It wasn’t unusual to see that kind of thing at a spot like that. However, it was unusual to see the person who’d gotten out of the Mercedes.

  “I can’t be seeing this right. Is that who I think it is?” Hoody asked.

  “Nah, you’re seein’ it right. What the fuck is Steelo doin’ back in Miami? And even better, why is he comin’ to visit Drako? I knew somethin’ wasn’t right about that nigga!”

  “You gon’ let your pops know?”

  Cam thought about it. It would be the best thing to do, but Carrington and Antonio were in the middle of an expansion deal in Atlanta. He didn’t want to interrupt such a huge money move with something he’d just be told to handle. He wanted to call his shooters right then to run up in the spot, guns blazing. However, then he would never know what was going on. He needed to do more digging.

  “Nah,” he said, snapping a quick photo before Steelo disappeared into the house.

  “Okay, let’s call the niggas in from the block to handle this fool.”

  “I’m not with that move either. Steelo is known to work with the Feds, and for all we know, they’re watching this shit right now. Let’s play this shit smart. First let’s figure out what the fuck this nigga is doing back in Miami. I need all feelers out. If we know he’s here, someone else does too. And that means they know why.”

  “I’m on it,” Hoody said and pulled his phone out as Cam drove away.

  Chapter 13

  “How do you even know this boy?”

  Kiesha almost laughed when she looked up from her vanity and saw her mother standing there with her hands on her hips. She had a satin bonnet on her hair and a robe wrapped tightly around her. When Miss Simmons spoke, it sounded like she had something in her mouth, but the carton of Ben & Jerry’s in her hand explained that.

  “Ooh, can I have a bite?” Kiesha asked. Her mom knew chocolate chip was her favorite.

  “No,” Miss Simmons said and held the carton closer to her. “Plus, one bite of this and you might pop out of that dress.”

  She pointed at the satin black dress Kiesha had opted to wear that night for her date. The back of it was completely open, and it might have looked like a tight fit, but it was actually very comfortable. She decided on black heels and gold jewelry to accent it. She’d been wearing her curls more often recently and had put a side part in her hair, tucking the left side behind her ear.

  “That’s not very nice,” she said to her mom and went back to putting on her lipstick.

  “What’s not nice is not telling your mother, the woman who gave you life, who you’re going out with tonight.”

  “I’m just meeting a friend. That’s all.”

  “Kiesha Shanelle Simmons, who do you think you’re fooling? You are not meeting a friend dressed like a movie star. No, spill it.”

  “Fine. He’s this guy I met. He’s super cute and nice. He asked me out. I said yes. There, are you happy?”

  “No, I’m not. What’s this guy’s name?”

  “Cameron.”

  “How old is he?”

  “Twenty-two,” Kiesha guessed, realizing she hadn’t asked.

  “Uh-huh. Make sure you take your Mace with you. And your switchblade.”

  “Mama!”

  “I’m serious. And send me your location. I’m not playing with you. And one more thing.”

  “What?” Kiesha groaned.

  “Wear your Versace perfume tonight. It would go well with this dress.” Miss Simmons walked into the room and kissed Kiesha on the forehead. “All mom talk aside, I hope you have a great time, baby.”

  “Thanks, Mama,” Kiesha said and turned to hug her mom and bury her head in her stomach.

  When she let go, Miss Simmons kissed her forehead again and left the bedroom. She finished the final touches on her face and took her mom’s advice by spraying herself with the Versace perfume. Miss Simmons had been right. It brought everything together. She looked at her watch and saw that she was running late. Cam said their reservations were for eight, and it was already almost seven thirty. Kiesha put her shoes on, grabbed her purse, and hurried out of the house.

  Cam chose a fancy steakhouse called Strucks for them to dine at. Kiesha arrived with a few minutes to spare, and he told her he was already inside. The hostess took her to the table in the back, and suddenly Kiesha felt herself growing nervous when she saw him. She didn’t know if it was because it had been a long time since she’d gone on a date, or if it was because he looked so delicious in his mustard yellow button-down. When she got to the table, he stood up to pull her chair out.

  “Wow, you look amazing,” he told her, and she felt his eyes gazing at her.

  “Thank you,” she told him and felt her cheeks grow warm.

  When he sat back down across from her, she wanted badly to let her eyes lower to the table, but she forced them to stay on him. She was already there. There wasn’t a point in her acting shy now. Still, his presence was doing something to her. And by the way he was looking at her, maybe hers was doing the same thing to him. He licked his full lips and flashed his pearly whites. She pursed her lips to stop the wide grin from coming to her face.

  “Don’t do that,” he said. “If you want to smile at me, smile, shawty. Ain’t nothing wrong with showing a nigga you’re happy to see him.”

  “Why do you think I’m happy to see you?” Kiesha asked and rolled her neck slightly.

  “Girl, you didn’t get all dolled up for anybody else in here. And if you did, point him out so I can bleed him.”

  “You wouldn’t do all that for little old me,” she said, but her Cheshire cat smile said what she really wanted to say.

  “You’re a princess. I’d move a kingdom.”

  “Game!” She laughed as the waiter set their menus in front of them.

  Kiesha looked at the menu even though she already knew she was getting salmon, loaded mashed potatoes, and asparagus. She still looked at the menu in case something else caught her eye.

  “Can I get you anything to drink?” the waiter asked them.

  “A lemonade,” she answered.

  “No wine? We have a very nice Chardonnay.”

  “Oh, no. I’m only eighteen,” she said, and the waiter raised a brow at Cam.

  “I’m only twenty-two, partna. We’re legal over here!”

  Kiesha didn’t know why that made her laugh so hard, but it did, mainly because Cam was so serious. She didn’t know if he was saying “legal” as in he could drink or that he wasn’t that much older than her. Either way it was hilarious, especially watching the waiter gather himself.

  “I’m sorry. You both just look so mature for your ages. I apologize. Can I get you anything to drink, sir?”

  “I’ll keep it PG tonight. Just bring me a Coke.”

  The server left to get their beverages. Kiesha fought her shyness, but it was hard. Why did he keep looking at her like that? His eyes never left her face. They brushed across her eyes and nose and lingered on her lips—the same lips that bent upward, that time with ease.

  “Are you examining me?” she asked in an amused fashion.

  “I just like to pay attention to detail, that’s all. I hope you know what you’re ordering, because here comes Alfred.”

  Kiesha had to hold back her laugh as she ordered. She was certain that wasn’t their server’s name, but it was very fitting. He was an older gentleman with a comb-over and a thin mustache. It also didn’t help that he stood with his back so straight it looked uncomfortable. After they were done ordering, Kiesha swatted Cam’s hand playfully.

  “You abusing me already, woman?” Cam asked and pretended to be shocked.

  “You’re just goofy as hell! About to make me laugh in that poor man’s face like that.”

  “That’s just me. In my line of work, it’s good to laugh sometimes.”

  “And what line of work is that? I see you shining over there, so it must be something that pays well.”

  “Just the family business,” Cam answered casually. “My dad and his business partner own a lot of businesses around Florida. I just get in where I fit in, really. What about you?”

  “I’m interning right now before I leave for Howard in the fall.”

  “Howard? Impressive. You must be smart as hell.”

  “I do my thing in the books, I guess,” Kiesha said shyly.

  “So if this becomes a thing, you okay with long distance?” he asked with a smile.

  “That depends if it becomes a thing.”

  Cam was smooth, and Kiesha had to admit she liked it, mainly because he didn’t pull away when she told him she would be leaving in the fall. The two of them continued to flirt back and forth until their food came. Even while they were eating, their conversation seemed to flow. She found herself growing comfortable with him and was happy that she had come out to dinner. By the time they left the restaurant, her cheeks were sore from laughing so much. Cam walked her to her vehicle and held her door open for her.

  “Next time you’ll have to let me be a real prince and come pick you up,” he said.

  “I guess you can do that now that I know you aren’t a crazy-ass nigga.”

  “Could never be that!” He laughed and kissed her on the cheek. “Get home safe, shawty. I’ma be on that line, too. Thirsty with it, so make sure you hit me back!”

  “I will, I promise.”

  Kiesha got in her car and drove away, feeling the butterflies in her stomach fluttering like crazy. She didn’t know what was happening. But even if it was just game, there was nothing wrong with a little summer fairy tale.

  Chapter 14

  “What the fuck do you mean you saw Steelo?” Adrian’s angry voice sounded.

  The tie he was tying was black, but all he saw was red. He stood in front of his living room’s full-body mirror, staring at Cam, who sat comfortably on his couch. When he showed up at his door that morning, he’d told Adrian that he had some urgent news that couldn’t wait. The news was the last thing Adrian expected to hear.

  “Just like I said. I saw him.”

  “Where?”

  “When I was scopin’ out that nigga Drako’s spot.”

  “Wait.” Adrian made a face. “What were you doing there? I thought you already made the drop.”

  “I did. But somethin’ told me that some shit wasn’t right with that nigga, man. He’s not solid, and I went to scope his shit out. If I were wrong, I would man up to it, but turns out I wasn’t. When me and Hoody were watching the trap, Steelo pulls up in broad daylight.”

  “Steelo and Drako?” Adrian asked, rubbing his chin. He tried to make sense of it but couldn’t. “That shit doesn’t even add up.”

  “Here, just so you don’t think the words comin’ out of my mouth are cap.”

  Cam tossed Adrian his phone. Adrian caught it and looked down at the photo on the screen. There Steelo was, plain as day, walking into a house. Whatever he and Drako were cooking up couldn’t be good, especially since Steelo was known for working with the Feds. It put Antonio’s whole operation in the line of fire, and it was Adrian’s fault. He didn’t want to admit it out loud, but Cam had been right about Drako all along. He now knew things about their operation and could be feeding the information to Steelo right that very second. They both had to be dealt with expeditiously.

  “You call your dad?” he asked Cam.

  “Nah. Every time some shit happens, we gon’ call our daddies? I came to you first to see how you wanted to handle it.”

  Adrian nodded. Cam was right. They needed to handle it, and before their parents got home.

  “My pop called me this morning before you got here to tell me they’ll be gone at least another week,” he said. “We need to dead this shit before then.”

  “What you got in mind?”

  “First I want to know exactly what ties the two of them have. I heard Drako has a thing for whores.”

  “On it. I’ll be in touch.” Cam got to his feet and walked to the door, shaking his head. “I told you not to do business with that nigga.”

  * * *

  The entire ride to the office, Adrian’s thoughts raced. He didn’t like the feeling of not knowing what was going on around him. He felt himself cautiously looking in his rearview mirror for police cruisers. Walking on thin ice wasn’t his thing, and he wasn’t a fan of it. However, his unease subsided slightly when he arrived at his destination and was met with Kiesha’s smile.

  “You’re late, but let me guess—perks of being the son of the boss, right?”

  She grinned at him and handed him a coffee before he took his seat. Whatever fragrance she was wearing was almost as divine as the yellow bodycon dress hugging her curves. Something about her radiant presence calmed his mind, and he was able to leave the streets in the streets. He pulled her laptop in front of him to take a look at how far she’d gotten with the campaign and saw that she was almost finished.

  “How long have you been here?” he asked.

  “I came in a little early. I hope you don’t mind. When ideas come to me, I like to get them out as soon as possible. Otherwise, ya girl goes crazy!”

  “I don’t mind at all,” he told her in an impressed manner. “I need to clean it up a little bit, but other than that, good job. Now all I need to do is hire caterers and the DJ.”

  “I already did that,” she blurted out, and he looked taken aback. “I’m sorry. I saw their contact numbers and thought I’d take a load off your shoulders.”

  “Don’t apologize. I already told you, when you’re ready, you’ll have a job here waiting for you.”

  Adrian pushed the laptop back in front of her and leaned back in his chair. He watched her tuck her hair behind her ear so that she could see the screen better. The side profile of her face was just as beautiful as the front. Her eyelashes were so long that they looked like extensions, and her chin was perfectly chiseled. Adrian found himself taking in every small detail of her face. He counted two beauty marks on her smooth skin, and he noticed that when she was deep in concentration, she did a thing where she bit her bottom lip. When she finally noticed him staring at her, a bashful expression came over her.

  “Is there something wrong, Adrian?” she asked in her soft voice.

  “Nothing. Just watching you work, that’s all,” Adrian said, even though he wanted to tell her how attracted he was to her.

  Something stopped him from speaking his mind, but he was sure his eyes said it all as they lingered on hers. Usually with women the only thing he thought about was how good they would look underneath him, but with Kiesha he just wanted to get to know her more. It was a strange feeling for him, and it made his nerves jump with her. He cleared his throat suddenly, and they shifted their gazes at the same time. He pulled his phone out to casually scroll the screen. He wasn’t looking at anything in particular. He just needed to focus on something else. She went back to working on the laptop.

  “I’m thinking of hosting the event on Wednesday. Do you, um, do you think you’ll be able to make that?” he asked.

  “I’m sure my schedule is open.”

  “Good. Take my card and find something nice to wear,” he told her and removed a credit card from his wallet.

  “What?” Kiesha asked, staring wide-eyed at the card. “Oh, Adrian, I couldn’t.”

  “Oh, but you can. You deserve it after all the work you’ve put in. And you’ll have a plus-one as well since I probably won’t be much company. I’m usually too busy trying to sell.”

  “Wow, this is so nice of you. Thank you!”

  The happy look on her face brought a piece of joy to Adrian’s heart. He wasn’t sure what she was used to. Maybe this was a first. He wouldn’t mind introducing her to more than just spending a couple of dollars on her. He opened his mouth to say something else, but his phone rang from inside his pocket. When he saw that it was Cam, he knew he needed to answer it. He held a finger up to Kiesha and excused himself from the conference room.

  “What’s the word?” he answered as he made his way to his office.

  “Nigga, you aren’t going to believe this shit.”

  “Hold on,” Adrian said and forced a fake smile to his face as he passed his colleagues. He picked up his pace to Executive Hall, and when he was there, he hurried into his office and shut the door. “My bad. What’s going on, Cam? You put a bitch on Drako yet?”

  “Didn’t need to. Get this, I just got word that Drako is hostin’ a party Friday night. A welcome home party. One guess for who.”

  “Steelo.”